As a writer, journaling every day is something that comes naturally to me. I don’t have to think much about it. It has always been something that I just well, do! I write down everything from my thoughts, to goals, to ideas, to my emotions and practically anything I am feeling or want to express on paper.
I came across a tweet a while back that said, “MEN NEED JOURNALS 2017,” and it really got me thinking. Why is it that men expressing their inner thoughts, ideas and emotions is so frowned upon?
Keeping a journal is extremely advantageous, and sadly, many view it as solely a woman’s hobby, when that’s entirely not true. Journaling is beneficial for everyone, and here is why:
1. It relieves stress and anxiety
Writing out all of your worries, issues and emotions can be an excellent way to relieve any extra weight on your shoulders. Organizing all of your thoughts on paper can help get things back under control, and reduce the stress and anxiety in your life.
2. It helps you achieve goals
It is proven that writing down personal goals makes achieving them much more likely. Opening up your journal and being reminded of your goals every day is a great way to keep you motivated. There is nothing like that rewarding feeling of crossing off an accomplished goal on paper. Journaling is key for a not only bettering one’s self but for a successful future.
3. It creates a better understanding of yourself
Understanding what goes on in your mind is vital to understanding who you are as a person. Coming to terms with your inner thoughts and emotions is a great way to discover and become more comfortable with yourself and find out what you want out of life.
4. It clarifies feelings and thoughts
You don’t have to fill up pages with sappy, emotional poetry in order to journal. Simply asking yourself questions such as “How do I feel?” or “What am I thinking?” and then expressing your answers onto paper can provide clarity and reflection when feeling sad, confused, hurt or any emotion under the sun.
5. It can act as a track record
Looking back at old memories, achievements and even thoughts can be a great way to self-reflect and see how much you have grown as a person. It’s reassuring to look back at a hard or stressful time and see how small our problems actually are after time has passed. Everything ALWAYS seems worse at the moment, and journals are a true reminder of that.